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GSMA accredited AIS as Thailand's first and only service provider to offer eMTC and NB-IoT networks covering nationwide and ready for commercial

Aug 21, 2018

(21 August 2018) AIS as leader in IoT innovation for national development has advanced further by launching Thailand’s first intelligent network eMTC (enhanced Machine-Type Communication) operable nationwide and ready for service (live network). Last May, AIS introduced Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and became the first and only service provider to offer full-scaled commercial services with nationwide coverage. AIS partners in IoT comprise private and public organizations, universities and R&D departments including PTT, Property Perfect, Krotron Group and Thammasat University.

On August 17, 2018, GSM Association (GSMA), representing more than 800 mobile-network operators worldwide, accredited AIS as the first and only service provider in Thailand who obtains both eMTC and NB-IoT networks with nationwide coverage.

The benefits of eMTC by AIS include:

Send/receive data between mobile devices such as connected cars and tracking

Send/receive voice messages from new IoT-enabled devices in the future

Send/receive large amount of data that exceeds NB-IoT capacity

Low power consumption when compared to sending data via 4G or 3G

The benefits of NB-IoT by AIS:

Support low power consumption, keeping IoT battery life up to ten years

Mr. Kriengsak Wanichnatee, Chief Technology Officer at AIS, said, “The expansion of eMTC to cover the whole Thailand has been accomplished according to our network plan announced previously to finish in Q3/2018. eMTC will further enhance AIS capability in providing IoT services for it can be used concurrently with NB-IoT to complement one another. eMTC is suitable for IoT on the move such as connected cars and sending/receiving voice messages from new IoT-enabled devices. Meanwhile, NB-IoT will support devices’ energy saving and enable long-distance operation.

Currently, AIS is working with both private and public organizations including educational institutes to gradually bring IoT services into action. AIS team is capable of mixing and matching IoT solutions to meet various inquiries from companies and agencies. AIS is very proud to introduce IoT technology to Thai market and witness actual use. Frost & Sullivan, a world-renown consulting and research firm, recognized AIS as Thailand IoT Solutions Provider of the Year 2018 or organization with service excellence in IoT”

AIS’s latest innovation marks another great milestone for Thailand to obtain dual IoT systems ready to support actual applications and future development. AIS is proud to bring such achievement to its homeland, accentuating its leadership in innovative telecommunication who never stops developing. AIS is determined to improving advanced networks to facilitate Thailand’s growth in all aspects. Aligning with Thailand 4.0 policy, AIS IoT network is vital for creating new innovations to support various industrial managements effectively.

For the best interest of Thai people in utilizing advanced technology, AIS will continue to promote IoT ecosystem in all sectors by increasing strengths in both eMTC and NB-IoT networks to support an array of IoT services in the near future.

AIS is hoping that such movement wil make IoT more appealing to general consumers, creating new solutions, offering extended industrial services and leading Thailand towards 5G Smart City realistically.